Lassen View Elementary School on soft lock down due to loose parolee in the area

Los Molinos >> Lassen View Elementary School began a soft, or code yellow, lock down Wednesday as an extra precaution with reports of a high-risk sex offender, who cut off his ankle monitor Monday, loose in Red Bluff or surrounding areas.

During a soft lock down classroom doors are locked and adults are present with children while they are outside and in the halls, said Superintendent Jerry Walker. News of the violent sex-offender out in Red Bluff prompted the lock down Wednesday and was continued to Thursday.

The school will continue the code yellow lock down status if the administrators feel it is necessary, going day by day.

The man wanted for taking off his ankle monitor was reported as 24-year-old Jose De Jesus Esparza Jr., who was released from prison and paroled to Tehama County.

Esparza is described as a Hispanic man with black hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weights about 188 pounds. As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday Esparza has not been found.

If anyone has information or sees Esparza, it is advised not to approach him but to call local law enforcement. The Red Bluff Police Department can be reached at 527-3131.